Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-14

But Mr.. Renshaw seemed to talk only
to make her talk, and am forced to ad-
NIT that Rosey found this almost as
pleasant. 1t was not long before he was
In possession Of her simple history from
the day Of her baby emigration to Cali
fornia to the transfer Of her childish life
to the old ship, and even Of much Of the
romantic fancies she had woven into her
existence there. Whatever Interior pur-
pose he had in view, he listened as atten-
lively az IL her artless chronicle was filed
with practical information Once, when
she had paused tor breath, he said grave
ly, II must ask you to show me over this
wonderful ship some day that I may see
It with your eyes"
But think you know It already better
than do" said Rosey with smile
Mr.. Renshaw's brow clouded slightly.
"Ah," he said, with touch Of his former
restraint; ''and whyf'
"Well, ," said Rosey timidly, II thought
you went round and touched things in a
familiar way as If you had handled them
before"
The young man raised his eyes TO
Rosey's and kept them there long enough
TO bring back his gentler expression.
''Then because found you trying on
very queer bonnet the first day / saw
you, he said, mischievously, II ought to
believe you were in the habit Of wearing
one"
In the first flush Of mutual admiration
young people are apt to find a laugh quite
as significant as sigh for an expression
Of sympathetic communion, and this
master stroke Of wit convulsed them both.
In the midst OF it Mr. Mott entered the
cabin. But the complacency with which he
viewed the evident perfect understanding
OF the pair was destined to suffer some
abatement. Rosey, suddenly conscious that
she was in some way participating in rid
icule Of her father through his unhappy
gift, became embarrassed Mr. Rem
shaws restraint returned with the pres
ence Of the old man. In vain, at first,
Abner Mott streve with profound levity to
indicate his arch comprehension Of the
situation, and in vain, later, becoming
alarmed, he endeavored, with cheerful
gravity, to indicate his utter oblivious-
ufSS vi any OdL u ouoluCO5 III
In their tete-a.tete.
81 oughtn't to hev intruded, Rosey,"
he said, when you and the gentleman
were talkin' OF contracts, mebbee; but
dent mind me. I'm on the fly, anyhow,
Rosey dear, hevin' to see n man round
the corner"
But even the attitude of Withdrawing
4 ba of IN,
his apartment and of Rosey to the galley
Left alone in the cabin, Abner Mott felt
In the knots and tangles of his beard for
reason. CHANGING down at his prodig-
ious boots, which, covered with mud and
gravel strongly emphasized his agricul-
tural origin, and gave him a general ap-
pcurancc Of standing on his own broad
acres he was struck with an idea. cts
them boots" he whispered to himself,
softly; they somehow don't seem 'xactly
to trump or follow suit in this yer cabin;
they don't hitch into anythin', but jist
slosh round loose, and, so to speak, play
II alone. And them young critters nat
rally feels it aud gets out O. the way"
Acting upon this instinct with his usual
prccipitate caution, he ut once proceeded
to the nearest second hand shop, and,
purchasing pair of enormous carpet
slippers, originally the property Of a
equity sea captain, reappeared with a
strong suggestion of newly upholstering
the cabin, The improvement, however,
was fraught with portentous circum-
stance. Mr.. Motifs footsteps, which
usually announced his approach all over
the ship, became stealthy and inaudible.
Meantime Miss Rosey had taken advan-
tage of the absence OF her father to visit
her patient TO avoid attracting atten-
ton she did not take a light but CROPPED
her way to the lower deck and raped
softly at the door. 1t was instantly
opened by de Ferrieres He had appar-
emily appreciated the few changes she had
already made in the room, and had him
self cleared away the pallet from which
he had risen to make two low seats
against the wall Two bits of candle
placed on the floor illuminated the beams
above, the dressing gown was artisteally
draped over the solitary chair, and pile
of cushions formed another seat With
elaborate courtesy he handed Miss Rosey
TO the chair lie looked pale and weak,
though the gravity of the attack had evil
IDENTIFY passed. Yet he persisted in re-
naming standing "If | sit" he ex-
planned with gesture, 81 shall again dis
grace myself by sleeping in mademoiselle's
presence, Yesl I shall sleep-I shall
dream-and wake to find her gomez
More embarrassed by his recovery than
when he was lying helplessly before her,
she said hesitatingly that she was glad he
was better, and that she hoped he liked
the broth.
at was mamma from heaven, mademoi-
selle See have taken it all-every pre-
cious drop. What else could have done
for mademoiselle's kindness'''
He showed her the empty bowl A swift
conviction came upon her that the man
had been suffering from want of food.
The thought restored her self possession
even while it brought she tears to her
eyes. ~ wish you would let me speak to
father--or some one, " she said impulsive-
ly, aud stopped.
A quick and half insane CLEAN of terror
and suspicion lit up his deep eyes. "For
what. mademosele2 For an accident
that is nothing absolutely nothing, for l
am strong and well now-seei'' he said
tremblingly. "Or for whim-for folly
you may say, that they will misunder-
stand No, mademoselle is good, is wise.
She will sag to herself, Il understand, my
friend Monsieur de Ferrieres for the mo-
ment has secret. He would seem poor,
he would take the role OF artisan, he
would shut himself up in these walls
perhaps l may guess why, bat it is his
secret. | think of it no more" He
caught her hand in his with gesture that
he would have made one of gallantry, but
that in its tremulous intensity became a
piteous supplication.
81 have said nothing and will say
nothing, IL you wish it," said Rosey
hastily; but others may find out how
you live here. This is not fit work for
you. You seem to be "a gentleman.
You ought TO be a lawyer, or a doctor, or
in a bank" she continued timidly, with a
vague enumeration Of the prevailing de-
grees Official gentility
He dropped her hand "Ahl does not